Does HCMC provide a good continuity clinic?
Yes. Residents have a half-day clinic twice a week during consult months with no clinic responsibilities during call months. Typical patients are 20 to 80 years old, tend to have multiple complex medical problems, and often have limited personal and financial resources. This clinic is divided into three “Firms.” Each Firm consists of approximately 20 residents, 5 faculty members, 3 nurses, a nurse practitioner, a clerk, and dedicated clerical staff. Each Firm works much like a community general medical practice and works with the same faculty member throughout residency. This ensures that the staff know the patients: residents do not have to completely re-present patients who return for follow-up. In addition, staff continuity fosters a strong working relationship between attending and resident. The clinic experience is further enhanced by weekly, staff-run didactic sessions focusing on outpatient management pearls. Most residents identify their Firm as a stable “home” away from the mo
